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quaesta

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word quaesta

Confidence
Probable
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1199
Ultimate origin
Latin quaerō
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin quaero
Italian chiedere
Latin quaesta
From the same root
Latin anquiro ← quaero
Latin perquiro ← quaero
Latin quaerito ← quaero
Latin quaesitor ← quaero
Latin quaesitus ← quaero
Latin quaestio ← quaero
Latin quaestor ← quaero
Latin quaestus ← quaero

Forms

quaesta f (genitive quaestae); first declension[1] It is also spelled questa and quista.[1][2][3]

Etymology

It is a medieval noun from Latin quaerō (“to seek, ask”).[1] The eLexicon Polonorum connects it with quaestus.[3] Etymonline explains the Medieval Latin spelling ⟨questa⟩, “search, inquiry”, as an alteration of quaesīta, the feminine of the past participle of that verb.[4] The DMLBS compares Middle English quest.[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The DMLBS's earliest dated quotation, from a royal charter of 1199, lists it among unjust exactions, meaning a tax or tribute.[5]

Semantic evolution

Du Cange explains it as a tribute that is demanded or asked for.[2] In British sources it also meant a search and a judicial inquiry.[5] In Poland it was a collection of alms for the church and a due paid to the ruler.[3]

Timeline

  • 1199 – A royal charter lists it among unjust exactions.[5]
  • 1238 – Gascon records count annual rents and quaestae paid in money.[5]
  • 1298 – A Pomeranian charter frees a village from quaestae and tallages.[3]
  • c. 1300 – English quest is recorded, from Old French and also directly from Medieval Latin.[4]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) A tax or tribute.[5][2][3][1]
  2. (Medieval Latin) A search, an effort to obtain something.[5]
  3. (Medieval Latin) A judicial inquiry, an inquest.[5][1]
  4. (Ecclesiastical Latin) A collection of alms for the church.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  2. ^ a b c du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre
  3. ^ a b c d e f Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
  4. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
Cite this entry

“Quaesta.” Etymologically, 24 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/quaesta. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·